Oceans (Part 1)

Imagine you’re home spending quality time with your family on a Friday night. Everyone is full from a home cooked meal. The house is clean. Everyone is in a good mood, and you’re all cuddled up together watching one of your favorite movies, playing one of your favorite games, or simply having a lively conversation amongst each other. Next thing you know, the Lord speaks to you and tells you to take your family and leave your home. You ask where you’re going; there’s no answer. You ask about the time, your job – still silence. You have absolutely no idea of what lies ahead for you and your family. You don’t know what to tell your children when they’re constantly asking, “Are we there yet?” or “Where are we going?”. Some of you may have already guessed it: this is about Abraham’s journey—God called him to leave his home, his family, and everything familiar to go to a place he didn’t even know. No map, no clear destination, just a promise from God. Imagine standing in Abraham’s shoes: leaving behind security and stepping into the unknown with only trust in God’s word to guide you. Abraham’s faith reminds us that sometimes God calls us to step into "oceans" of uncertainty, trusting Him to lead us to His purpose for our lives.

Just like Abraham, we too face moments where God calls us out of the familiar—times when we’re asked to trust Him without knowing all the details. It’s in those moments that faith becomes more than just a word; it’s an action. It’s stepping forward, even when the path ahead feels uncertain. That’s the very heart of 'Oceans' by Hillsong United—a song that captures the raw beauty of trusting God in the unknown. Its lyrics speak of stepping out onto waters where feet may fail but finding strength in God’s presence. Today, we’re diving into what it truly means to walk by faith when we’re surrounded by uncertainty. We’ll explore how Abraham’s story, the message of 'Oceans,' and our own lives intersect in this journey of trust and surrender.

I originally heard this song sung by Praise and Harmony, and I can honestly say I had no clue that it was written by Hillsong until doing research for this episode. Either way, it’s an extremely impactful song. Its message of stepping out into uncertainty and finding faith in the depths speaks to experiences we've all had—moments where we've felt unsure, yet God’s presence steadied us. So let's go ahead and dive into “Oceans”. The first verse begins, “You call me out upon the waters. The great unknown, where feet may fail. And there I find You in the mystery. In oceans deep, my faith will stand.” I can’t help but to think about Peter’s story when hearing this verse. To summarize it, Matthew 14:28-33 tells us Peter sees Jesus walking on water and, filled with faith, asks to join Him. Jesus invites Peter to step out of the boat and walk towards Him. Peter begins to walk on water, but as he notices the strong wind, fear and doubt creep in, causing him to start sinking. Jesus immediately reaches out and saves Peter, gently questioning his lack of faith. Once they are both back in the boat, the wind ceases, and the disciples worship Jesus, acknowledging Him as the Son of God.



People often focus on how Peter began to sink when he became afraid and started to doubt. But I want to highlight the faith he had in the first place. Surely, he had never walked on water before, especially not in the midst of strong, huge waves caused by a windstorm between 3 and 6am, as described in verses 24 and 25. Peter literally took a step into the great unknown, where feet may fail. And he trusted, even if for a brief second, that Jesus would aid him along the way. How many of us, in Peter’s situation, would have thought to even ask Jesus to allow us to walk on water? How many of us have the faith to trust Him in the midst of a storm at the darkest hour? Yes, Peter did begin to sink. But he walked first. Just like Peter, we should step out of our comfort zones and trust that the Lord will take care of us. It's in those moments of unknowns that our faith can truly grow and we can experience the depth of God's love and guidance.

This brings us to the chorus: “And I will call upon Your name, and keep my eyes above the waves. When oceans rise, my soul will rest in Your embrace. For I am Yours and You are mine.” The beginning of the chorus takes my mind back to Peter again. “And I will call upon Your name.” What was the first thing Peter said when he began to sink? “Lord save me!” Sure enough, he lacked the amount of faith needed to continue walking on water. Yet when he started descending, he knew right away that the Lord would save him. And Jesus did so, immediately. From this, we can learn that even if we do lose faith, Christ is always there with His hand outstretched to help us gain it back. He doesn’t want to watch us sink or stray away. He wants us to trust in Him wholeheartedly, no matter how big or small the waves in our lives may be. Which brings us to the next part of this sentence, “and keep my eyes above the waves”.

To me, this is saying that our focus should always remain on the Lord. We’re to do our best to not let the waves of the ocean overtake us. Praising the Lord in the midst of a storm is a significant act of faith and trust. The Bible offers encouragement and insight into doing just that. In the book of Habakkuk, chapter 3 beginning in verse 17, the prophet demonstrates this kind of faith when he says: "Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls—yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation." This passage encourages us to find joy in God despite the circumstances. Trusting in God's power and goodness, even when things are difficult, can lead to peace and endurance. The Psalms also offer words of praise and trust during trying times. Psalm 46:1 reminds us: "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." When faced with storms, turning to God in praise acknowledges His power and presence. It can be a way to focus on His unchanging nature and love, rather than the ever-changing trials of life. In doing so, we open our hearts to His peace and strength, allowing Him to guide us through the storm with grace and courage. Then, our souls can “rest in [His] embrace”.

When I hear the word embrace, my mind falls into the moments my husband holds me when I’m not feeling well. His body is always so warm, and the rhythm of his heart beat is so soothing. I feel safe and at peace. Like nothing in that moment could ever go wrong and no one or no thing could do me any harm. I think of how tight I hold my son when he’s upset or simply wants a hug from his mommy. In that moment I always wish I could hold on to him forever to ensure that he is always protected and unharmed. This is how it is to be in the Lord’s embrace, times infinity! We know that we’re well taken care of. That He loves us and will protect us from any harm coming our way. We just have to allow ourselves to rely on Him and rest in His bosom — the safest place we could ever be. For we are His, and He is ours.

This line in the last part of the chorus — “For I am Yours and You are mine — reminds me of the deep relationship between God and His people. God loves us no matter what. He guides and supports us through tough times and forgives us when we make mistakes. He wants a personal relationship with each of us, listens to our prayers, and stays with us every day. He keeps His promises and helps us find our purpose. And He does this because we belong to Him and He cherishes His creation. We are His. And He is ours. As beautifully written in Psalm 73:26, “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” This verse offers comfort and assurance, reminding us that despite life's challenges and personal weaknesses, God remains a steadfast source of strength and hope. 

Overall, Abraham's journey and Peter's steps onto the water remind us that true faith means trusting God in the unknown. 'Oceans' by Hillsong United captures this beautifully, urging us to keep our eyes above the waves and find rest in God's embrace. No matter how fierce the storms of life, God's unwavering love and guidance are our anchors. In this divine relationship, we find our ultimate strength and hope. We are His, and He is ours, forever.
Thank you for talking with me, Let’s walk with Him.